Throw the Green Bay Packers into the mix of teams that could try and steal Julius Peppers away from the Panthers this offseason. Peppers has stated a desire to leave the only NFL team he's known in order to find a defense that will, to paraphrase, maximize his abilities. His agent, Carl Carey, has said that, "[Peppers] certainly feels that he can excel in a 3-4 defense," something the Panthers, at least of right now, do not employ. You can take this message to heart, because even after a disastrous '07 campaign, Peppers declined a contract extension with Carolina. This is not a money issue, though Peppers would certainly command a big contract on the open market. His desire for a new team and defense seems genuine.
Meanwhile, at the Frozen Tundra, the Green Bay Packers just underwent a massive overhaul of the defensive coaching staff. Dom Capers has come in to employ his vaunted 3-4 defense. Say what you want about his headcoaching job in Houston, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Capers is a defensive wizard. Seemingly everywhere he goes his schemes pay immediate dividends for a team. And if his head coaching job still gives you nightmares, recall when he took a second year franchise to the NFC Championship in '96.
To sweeten the pot, Mike McCarthy just signed Mike Trgovac to coach the defensive line. Who is Trgovac? None other than the recently departed defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. He confessed the difficulties of being a DC under a defensive-minded head coach (John Fox) and turned down a contract extension.
This seems like an ideal marriage for both the Packers and Peppers (gotta love the alliteration too). In Peppers' case, he wants a new scheme to challenge his talent and skills; the Packers have the scheme he's looking for and a recognizeable face on the staff. In Green Bay they're looking for defensive line help (in all likely hood Aaron Kampman will transition to linebacker); Peppers (6'7", 290 lbs) is an ideal DE to help in the 3-4 transition.
It's a match made in heaven, but there are obstacles all over the place. The Panthers will surely franchise Peppers. They can't let a premier DE leave for nothing and by franchsing Peppers they either guarantee: his return, two first round picks in compensation, or a beneficial trade. Packers GM Ted Thompson loves the draft more than anything. Surrendering an assortment of picks in a trade isn't his thing, and hell would freeze over before he'd give out a huge contract and two first picks to boot.
The contract Peppers would command may also stand in the way. Right now the Packers have some of their promising young talent nearing the ends of rookie contracts. In other words, Greg Jennings might be extremely aggravated if Green Bay doles out the millions for Peppers before they address him.
To further complicate matters, the defense Peppers wants might be coming to his backyard. Carolina has undergone a massive defensive overhaul as well. As of yet the direction of the defense is unknown. John Fox firmly believes in the 4-3, though. Scheme changes are pretty unlikely in Carolina, but a remote possibility exists.
Still, the interests of the Packers and Peppers are so in synch it'd be foolish to think Ted Thompson isn't deliberating the subject. Despite the numerous hurdles, Peppers is the kind of football player that's worth the heavy price. The Vikings paid a king's ransom for Jared Allen, and no one's bemoaning that decision in Minnesota. When the '09 season kicks off, we could very well see Julius Peppers donning the Green and Gold.
DeLeah Caro
Danica Patrick
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NFL Fans: Week 11
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I would definitely love to see this happen, Peppers would bring a pass rush that is desperately needed and with his athleticism he could be used as both a DE and OLB in the 3-4. He might come @ a very high price, but I think they are one playmaker like him away from being back to where they were last season. If I am not mistaken the Packers have about 25 million in Cap room, you might as well use all of the cap otherwise your just wasting time. TT needs to have a good offseason this year or I would say he should be gone. I am sick and tired of watching him trade out of the 1st round and not get any in return, or picking Justin Harrell @ 16 when they could have gotten him in either the 2, 3, or even 4th round.
packattack22
Orangeville , IL
Total Comments (10)
Great blog.
travis31
Springfield, US
Total Comments (17979)
Great Blog
The Packers need Peppers.
I learned alot about how this could very well play out that I didn't know before.
And again, great work.
jbfpack ~ BEAST!!!
Verona, WI
Total Comments (11144)
"Aaron Kampman will transition to linebacker".
Julius Peppers and his agent have expressed interest in moving him to the LB position actually which is where he could reach his full potential. He is a pretty good pass defender and he is a great pass rusher and run stopper but more importantly he is a physical monster which (if he chose to not sit out 3 out of 4 plays) could help him become the greatest DE of all time (no joke) but it could also help him become a solid LB.
2 first round draft selections? I will take it for letting Julius Peppers go (I love him but...) he does not want to play in Carolina so does that mean he will work harder for the Defense? No - probably the exact opposite and we would like to have 2 first rounders (do you think we could get that?) to adress several needs:
CB
DE
S (maybe)
QB...
But this is a good blog becuase I can definitly see where you are going with Julius in green & gold even though I hate to see him go as a Tar Heel and Panther fan.
Southern Discomfort
Charlotte, NC
Total Comments (4880)
http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/327235-goodbye-peppers
Julius Peppers blog I wrote.
Southern Discomfort
Charlotte, NC
Total Comments (4880)
I heard about this after writing the blog, which adds yet another wrinkle to the situation. You're right about him being an athletic freak, and a linebacker transition isn't far fetched, but I see him as a premier DE and an average LB. The thought of Peppers rushing from the LB position unblocked is a scary one. Still, he's never played LB, and it seems too extreme to learn a new position as well as a new scheme. Will he be a liability in pass coverage? Then again the challenge might be the only alluring thing to him, I don't know.
Kampman's pretty much going to play LB regardless next season so if the Packers were to get Peppers they'd have sell him on playing the line I think (or maybe they could switch off?). He played LB in high school and college up until his sophmore season.
I'll check your blog to see your thoughts on Peppers.
Caravaggio
Athens , GA
Total Comments (194)
if we had peppers and kampman coming off the edge we'd be cookin with some gas.
Look out for Cullen Jenkins to become dominant in the 3-4 as well.
armchair_probowler
Total Comments (2057)
Absoluetly love Cullen Jenkins for this defense. I believe getting Barnett and Jenkins back will do wonders for the defense.
Caravaggio
Athens , GA
Total Comments (194)
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armchair_probowler
Total Comments (2057)
I'm very skeptical about the Packers signing Peppers...though my skepticism is moreso on the financial side of the equation...I think the Packers will try to stay as far under the cap again this year as they can, as I believe they're still trying to hold onto as much cash as they can in order to survive X many years there may be with uncapped spending due to the termination of the CBA
PackBrew42 is…
Miller Brewery, WI
Total Comments (4060)
I think TT will go for Terrell Suggs before he goes for Peppers. Suggs is younger, is less likely to be franchised, will be cheaper, and already can play both DE and OLB (although I will grant that he is marginally less productive). While it would be sick to see Peppers playing for my beloved Pack, I just don't think its gonna happen. Too high a price tag in picks and cap space.
John from Hardy VA
Elon, NC
Total Comments (10)
I like the blog...but I would be hesitant on saying the Packers are even in the free agent market. So far Thompson has shown he hates free agents...he even said it himself. The only big free agent he has ever gone after is Charles Woodson.
It seems very unlikely the Packers will get him. Especially since they are moving Kampman to OLB.
CiA is X
Milwaukee , WI
Total Comments (767)
This goes way against the grain for Thompson, he builds through the draft. Wishful thinking for Packers fans though.
evil ferret
Total Comments (23)
AS MUCH as it pains me to admit it, Pepper to the Packer sounds like a good fit....and also a nursery rhyme
SouthSideHitMan
Total Comments (5101)
Peppers picked a plenty pros to pick the packers
SouthSideHitMan
Total Comments (5101)
It's definitely a long shot..... TT loves building through the draft and hates spending money on FA's..... he needs to realize they have 80% of the required personnel to be successful. They need to go out and sign the rest... or else the pack will be the youngest team in the NFL (again)
armchair_probowler
Total Comments (2057)
Peppers on the outside of a 3-4 at the LB level would be great for him I think. Like I said he can cover the feild in so many ways and this would keep him for active and useful.
He does however fit the perfect DE for a 4-3 system too but remember the influence LT had blitzing at the LB position becuase of his speed and size in a 3-4 system?
Southern Discomfort
Charlotte, NC
Total Comments (4880)
Sign Peppers now! It's all about the pass rush in the NFL. Put pressure on the QB and watch the team fall. I can't wait for this to happen. Now the question is will it?
Look at the Vikes. They have a great pass rusher along with two great Defensive tackles. Without Jared Allen that team would've been 6-10 just like us.
We have the QB now we need a minister of Defense like Reggie :D
Sign Peppers and make me a happy fan.
Rozz
Rochester , MN
Total Comments (3)
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